BelfastAndy
07-02-2024, 04:57 PM
Adam Pope, BBC Radio Leeds
After a five-minute cameo in December for a 1-1 draw with Coventry City, Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt had to wait seven weeks to make his 50th appearance for the club.
His 49 minutes off the bench were arguably his best in a Leeds shirt as he helped the Whites to a 4-1 FA Cup replay victory at Plymouth Argyle.
His close control, dribbling, touch, aggression and willingness to defend were all on display, as was his venomous left foot which smacked an exocet of a shot against a post and prompted manager Daniel Farke to suggest afterwards: "He could even kill a cow with a strike if he hits it perfectly.”
Leathering the leather to make more leather, if you like!
Signed from Wigan Athletic in 2020 as a ****ager, the now 21-year-old blossomed under former head coach Marcelo Bielsa. Bielsa's strict fitness and diet regime allied with a commitment to youth development helped Gelhardt to elevate his profile as the new shiny thing at Leeds.
Indeed, two goals in 35 Premier League appearances included an equaliser at Chelsea in a dramatic 3-2 defeat and a crucial winner at home to Norwich City as United were scrapping for points under Jesse Marsch to stay in the division in 2022.
His career at Elland Road, where he is contracted until 2027, then stalled and he was sent on loan to Sunderland in the Championship in the 2023 January transfer window. He scored three goals in 20 appearances while helping the Black Cats to a play-off semi final in which Luton Town triumphed on their way to promotion.
The Stadium of Light experience may have propelled Gelhardt up the striking pecking order but Farke has been sparing in his use of him to date.
It is therefore refreshing to be talking about the lad they call Joffy again - and about how he can make a cow’s backside feel like it has been hit by a banjo.
After a five-minute cameo in December for a 1-1 draw with Coventry City, Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt had to wait seven weeks to make his 50th appearance for the club.
His 49 minutes off the bench were arguably his best in a Leeds shirt as he helped the Whites to a 4-1 FA Cup replay victory at Plymouth Argyle.
His close control, dribbling, touch, aggression and willingness to defend were all on display, as was his venomous left foot which smacked an exocet of a shot against a post and prompted manager Daniel Farke to suggest afterwards: "He could even kill a cow with a strike if he hits it perfectly.”
Leathering the leather to make more leather, if you like!
Signed from Wigan Athletic in 2020 as a ****ager, the now 21-year-old blossomed under former head coach Marcelo Bielsa. Bielsa's strict fitness and diet regime allied with a commitment to youth development helped Gelhardt to elevate his profile as the new shiny thing at Leeds.
Indeed, two goals in 35 Premier League appearances included an equaliser at Chelsea in a dramatic 3-2 defeat and a crucial winner at home to Norwich City as United were scrapping for points under Jesse Marsch to stay in the division in 2022.
His career at Elland Road, where he is contracted until 2027, then stalled and he was sent on loan to Sunderland in the Championship in the 2023 January transfer window. He scored three goals in 20 appearances while helping the Black Cats to a play-off semi final in which Luton Town triumphed on their way to promotion.
The Stadium of Light experience may have propelled Gelhardt up the striking pecking order but Farke has been sparing in his use of him to date.
It is therefore refreshing to be talking about the lad they call Joffy again - and about how he can make a cow’s backside feel like it has been hit by a banjo.